Integrally molded dispensing valve and method of manufacture

ABSTRACT

A dispensing valve includes an annular ring of relatively rigid molded plastic construction and a flexible resilient valve element integrally molded with the ring. The ring and the valve element have at least one mechanical interlock to secure the valve element to the ring as the valve element is molded onto the ring. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the mechanical interlock includes openings in an inner periphery of the ring and pegs on the outer periphery of the valve element that are molded into the openings as the valve element is molded onto the ring.

The present disclosure relates to dispensing closures for fluid productssuch as beverages, food condiments and body lotions, and moreparticularly to a dispensing valve and method of manufacture for suchclosures.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS

U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,487 discloses a fluid dispensing closure and apackage that includes a container having a body for holding a product tobe dispensed and a finish having an open mouth. A dispensing closure ismounted on the container finish. In one embodiment, the dispensingclosure includes a base and a lid integrally hinged to the base. Thebase has a deck with a dispensing opening. A flexible resilientdispensing valve is mounted within the dispensing opening by a separateretaining ring secured to the deck surrounding the dispensing opening. Ageneral object of the present disclosure is to provide a dispensingvalve, a dispensing closure embodying a dispensing valve, and a methodof making a dispensing valve, in which the dispensing valve element isintegrally molded to the valve mounting ring structure to facilitatehandling of the valve after molding and automated assembly of thevalve/mounting ring to the dispensing closure shell or other supportstructure.

The present disclosure embodies a number of aspects or inventions, whichcan be implemented separately from or in combination with each other.

A dispensing valve in accordance with one aspect of the presentdisclosure includes an annular ring of relatively rigid molded plasticconstruction and a flexible resilient valve element integrally moldedwith the ring. The ring and the valve element have at least onemechanical interlock to secure the valve element to the ring as thevalve element is molded onto the ring. In some embodiments of thedisclosure, the mechanical interlock includes through-openings in aninner periphery of the annular ring and pegs on the outer periphery ofthe valve element that are molded into the through-openings as the valveelement is molded onto the annular ring.

A dispensing valve in accordance with another aspect of the presentdisclosure includes an annular ring of relatively rigid molding plasticconstruction having an outer periphery for securing the valve within adispensing opening and an inner periphery in the form of an annularledge having an angularly spaced array of openings. A flexible resilientvalve element is molded onto the ring so as to have an outer peripheralportion engaged with the ledge of the ring and integral pegs that extendinto the openings on the ring to lock the valve element to the ring.Each of the openings in the mounting ring preferably is athrough-opening that includes an enlarged portion opening at one axiallyfacing surface of the ring ledge, and an ensmalled portion aligned withthe enlarged portion and opening at a second axially facing surface ofthe ledge. The valve element preferably includes an annular flange inopposed engagement with the second axially facing surface of the ringledge, and pegs integrally molded with the flat annular flange extendingthrough the ensmalled portions of the through-openings into the enlargedportions of the openings.

A dispensing valve in accordance with a further aspect of the disclosureis of one-piece integrally molded construction that includes a ring ofrelatively rigid thermoplastic or thermosetting resin construction and aflexible resilient valve element of thermoplastic or thermosetting resinconstruction. The ring and the valve preferably are sequentially molded,and the ring preferably is of a material having a higher melt or highersoftening temperature than that of the valve element. The valve elementpreferably is of silicone composition and the ring preferably is ofnylon composition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure, together with additional objects, features, advantagesand aspects thereof, will best be understood from the followingdescription, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a package that includes adispensing closure with dispensing valve in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dispensing closure in the package ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the portion of FIG. 1 withinthe area 3;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the dispensing closure shell in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 inFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the closure shell in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are fragmentary sectional views taken substantiallyalong the respective lines 7-7, 8-8 and 9-9 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of theportion of FIG. 5 within the area 10;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 11-11 inFIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the dispensing valve in the closure ofFIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 13-13 inFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of theportion of FIG. 13 within the area 14;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view that is similar to that of FIG. 13 butillustrates a modified embodiment of a dispensing valve in accordancewith the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 17 is an enlargement of the portion of FIG. 16 within the area 17;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of the disclosure;and

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline 19-19 in FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a dispensing package 20 in accordance with onepresently preferred embodiment of the disclosure as including acontainer 22 to which a dispensing closure 24 is secured. Container 22has a body 26 and a cylindrical neck finish 28 with one or more externalsecurement features, such as external threads or thread segments 30.Container 22 preferably is of molded plastic construction, having aflexible resilient sidewall 31 that may be squeezed by a user fordispensing product from within the package. A film seal 32 may besecured over the open end of neck finish 28 so as to close the mouth ofthe finish after product has been placed in the package. Film seal 32 isto be removed by a user prior to dispensing product.

Dispensing closure 24 in the illustrated embodiment of the disclosure isa two-piece assembly that includes a shell 34 to which a dispensingvalve 36 is secured. Shell 34 preferably is of one-piece integrallymolded plastic construction, as shown in FIGS. 4-10. Shell 34 includes abase 40 to which a lid 42 is pivotally secured by a hinge 44. Hinge 44in the illustrated embodiment of the disclosure comprises a pair oflaterally spaced hinge elements 46,48 that together form a snap hinge ofthe type illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,794,308 and 6,041,477. However,the disclosure is by no means limited to snap hinges of this type, andother hinge arrangements can be employed.

Base 40 includes a central deck 50. The central portion 52 of deck 50may be of domed, such as generally conical, construction. A dispensingopening 54 is positioned in deck central portion 52, preferablycentrally positioned. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 10, an annular wall 56extends axially from an undersurface of deck central portion 52surrounding and coaxial with dispensing opening 54. A radially inwardlyextending internal bead 62 may be provided on annular wall 56, and maybe either circumferentially continuous or segmented. The exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure illustrated in the drawings includes aninternal skirt 64 with internal attachment means, such as threads orthread segments 66, for securing the closure to a container finish, andan external skirt 68 that extends from the periphery of deck 50.External skirt 68 may be of a geometry to match the geometry of theassociated container, such as cylindrical in the embodiment illustratedin the drawings. A circumferential array of radially and axiallyextending ribs 70 interconnect skirts 64, 68 for strengthening andrigidifying closure shell base 40. Single wall closure shells also canbe employed.

Deck 50 in the exemplary closure includes a raised wall 72 thatpartially surrounds the central portion 52 of the deck. Raised wall 72has a greatest axial height adjacent to hinge 44, and decreases inheight symmetrically in both directions around the periphery of centralportion 52, preferably to zero height at a position diametrically spacedfrom hinge 44. The decreasing height of wall 72 is best seen in FIGS. 5and 7. Wall 72 has a radially inner surface 74 that blends with centralportion 52 of deck 50 to form a concave channel 76 surrounding centralportion 52. (Directional words such as “upper” and “lower” are employedby way of description and not limitation with respect to the uprightorientation of the closure illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, for example.Directional words such as “inner” and “outer” are employed by way ofdescription and not limitation with respect to the axis of the closureor finish, as appropriate.) As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, channel 76has a concave upper surface, the base or bottom of which lies in a planethat is angled with respect to the axis of the dispensing opening andwith respect to the peripheral portion of deck 50. The upper surface ofchannel 76 has a radius of curvature that is smallest adjacent to hinge44, and increases symmetrically around central deck portion 52 to beingsubstantially flat diametrically opposite the hinge.

The peripheral portion of deck 50 also includes a ledge 78 that isaxially recessed with respect to domed central portion 52. Ledge 78extends entirely around central portion 52 in a plane that preferably isperpendicular to the axis of base 40. A radially outwardly extendingcircumferential bead 80 extends at least part way around deck 50 axiallyadjacent to but spaced from ledge 78. Ledge 78 is enlarged at 79diametrically opposite hinge 44.

Lid 42 includes a base wall 82 and a peripheral skirt 84. The edge ofskirt 84 remote from base wall 82 preferably lies in a plane, and isadapted for edge engagement with ledge 78 on base 40 in the closedposition of the lid (FIG. 1). An internal bead 86 (FIGS. 4 and 9)preferably extends at least part way around lid skirt 84 forsnap-receipt over bead 80 (FIG. 8) to hold the lid in the closedposition. An annular bead 90 on lid base wall 82 is received betweenvalve 36 and the inner periphery of dispensing opening 54 in the closedposition of the lid, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Crossed walls 92 withinbead 90 are disposed adjacent to valve 36 in the closed position of thelid, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Walls 92 and bead 90 help prevent valve36 from opening when the lid is closed, thereby preventing undesiredleakage of product from within the package. Skirt 84 is indented at 85(FIGS. 2, 4 and 5), and base wall 82 extends over this indent. Ledgeenlargement 79 and indent 85 form a thumb tab for opening of the closurelid. To the extent thus far described, closure 24 is similar to thatdisclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/874,036, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

Dispensing valve 36 is shown in detail in FIGS. 12-14. Valve 36 includesamounting ring 100 to which a valve element 102 is integrally molded.Valve mounting ring 100 is of relatively rigid plastic construction,while valve 102 is flexible and resilient. In one presently preferredembodiment of the disclosure, valve element 102 is of liquid siliconrubber (LSR) construction. Valve mounting ring 100 in this example is ofa plastic, such as nylon, suitable to withstand the relatively high curetemperature of LSR. However, in accordance with the present disclosure,valve element 102 is coupled to mounting ring 100 by at least onemechanical interlock 104, so that the materials of the dispensing valveand the mounting ring are not necessarily (although they could be)chemically compatible so as to form a chemical bond between thedispensing valve and the mounting ring during the valve-moldingoperation.

Mounting ring 100 includes an outer periphery formed by an annular wall106 with suitable structure for mounting valve 36 within the dispensingclosure shell. A ledge 108 extends radially inwardly from wall 106.Ledge 108 preferably is flat and perpendicular to the central axis ofwall 106. A plurality of openings 110 extend into ledge 108 in anangularly spaced array round the axis of the dispensing closure.Openings 110 preferably are identical, and preferably arethrough-openings that include an enlarged portion 112 that opens at oneaxially facing surface 114 of ledge 108, and an aligned but relativelyensmalled portion 116 that opens at an opposing axially facing surface118 of wall 108. Valve element 102 as molded has a flat annular radiallyoutwardly extending flange portion 120 with a circumferential array ofaxially extending pegs 122 that extend through ensmalled portions 116 ofopenings 110 into enlarged portions 112. Flange portion 120 is in facingengagement with axially facing surface 118 of ledge 108, so that pegs122 extend through ensmalled portions 116 and into enlarged portions 112of openings 1110, thereby mechanically locking valve 102 to mountingring 100 entirely around the periphery of the valve. Valve element 102in the illustrated embodiment includes a central portion 136 integralwith flange 120. Central portion 136 includes one or more slits 138(FIG. 12) for dispensing product. The illustrated geometry of centralportion 136 is exemplary only and does not relate directly to thesubject matter of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates a dispensing valve 130, which is similar to that ofFIGS. 12-14 but in which the valve element 132 is molded to the uppersurface rather than to the lower face or undersurface of mounting ring134. Otherwise, dispensing valve 130 in FIG. 15 is similar to valve 36of FIGS. 12-14, and identical reference numerals are employed toindicate identical or corresponding elements.

FIGS. 16-17 illustrate a dispensing valve 140 that includes a mountingring 142 and a valve element 144 molded onto the mounting ring. Mountingring 142 has an inwardly extending ledge 146, which preferably is flatand perpendicular to the axis of the mounting ring. One surface of ledge146, preferably the undersurface, has a plurality of projections 148.These projections preferably comprise at least one annular wall or rib,and more preferably a pair of annular walls or ribs. The ribs may becircumferentially continuous or discontinuous. The ribs preferably areconcentric with each other and with the axis of ring 142. As analternative to ribs, one or more arrays of pegs can be employed, and thepegs may have rivet-like heads spaced from ledge 146. When valve element144 is molded onto mounting ring 142, projections 148 become embedded inflange 120 and hold the valve element in place.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate a valve 150 that is a modification to thevalve 36 of FIGS. 12-14. Valve 150 includes a mounting ring 156 and avalve element 158. Adjacent pairs of opening enlarged portions 112 ofthrough-openings 110 are joined by a channel 152 molded into ledge 108.The material of valve element 158 extends at 154 through channels 152 tojoin adjacent pairs of pegs 122. A similar modification could be made tothe embodiment of FIG. 15.

Valve 36, 130, 140 or 150 is mounted within closure shell 34, in theillustrated embodiments of the disclosure, by being secured by snap fitwithin wall 56 and retained by bead 62 (FIG. 3). This mountingarrangement is exemplary, and other suitable arrangements could beemployed.

Valves 36, 130, 140, 150 can be made in a two-step operation in whichmounting rings 100, 134, 142, 156 are first molded, and the mountingrings are then placed in a suitable mold for molding valve elements 102,132, 144, 158 onto the mounting ring in a suitable insert moldingoperation. However, and more preferably in accordance with the presentdisclosure, valves 36, 130, 140, 150 are molded in a single-steptwo-material molding operation. In such an operation, mounting rings100, 134, 142, 156 are first molded in a suitably formed mold cavity.One or more of the mold sections that form the mold cavity then aremoved or repositioned to form a second mold cavity in which dispensingvalve element 102, 132, 144 or 158 is integrally molded onto themounting ring. In either event, the dispensing valve exits the mold as acompleted assembly, which greatly facilitates handling of the dispensingvalve and automated assembly of the dispensing valve to a closure shellor other support structure. It also is noted that the dispensing valve,including the mounting ring and the valve element, forms an “engine”that can be employed in combination with dispensing closure shells ofmany differing geometries. Thus, a single dispensing valve engine can beemployed in combination with dispensing closure shells for differingcustomers and/or applications.

As noted above, the materials of the mounting ring and the valve elementare selected to achieve the desired results, including the ability ofthe first-molded mounting ring to withstand the molding and curetemperatures of the second-molded dispensing valve. In other words, whenusing the preferred sequential injection molding technique, the melttemperature or the softening temperature of the first-molded component,preferably the ring, is higher than the melt temperature of thesecond-molded component, preferably the valve element. The ringpreferably is of relatively rigid thermoplastic or thermosetting resinconstruction, and the valve element preferably is of flexible resilientthermoplastic or thermosetting resin construction. Silicone,specifically LSR, a thermosetting resin, is preferred for the valveelement. Thermoplastic elastomers, such as styrenic copolymers, such asSBS (styrene-butylene-styrene), SIBS (styrene-isobutylene-styrene), SEBS(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) and SEPS(styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene), could be used for the valveelement. Thermoplastic resins such as polyphenol amide, polyphenolamine, polybutylene terephthalate, nylon and glass-filled polypropylene,can be used for the ring.

There thus have been disclosed a dispensing valve, a dispensing closureand a method of making a dispensing valve that fully achieve all of theobjects and aims previously set forth. The disclosure has been presentedin conjunction with several presently preferred embodiments of thedispensing valve, and a number of modifications and variations have beendiscussed. Other modifications and variations readily will suggestthemselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosure isintended to embrace all such modifications and variations as fall withinthe spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

1. A dispensing valve that includes: an annular ring of relatively rigidmolded plastic construction, and a flexible resilient valve elementintegrally molded with said ring, said ring and said valve elementhaving at least one mechanical interlock to secure said valve element tosaid ring as said valve element is molded onto said ring.
 2. The valveset forth in claim 1 wherein said annular ring includes an innerperiphery with said at least one mechanical interlock.
 3. The valve setforth in claim 2 wherein said mechanical interlock includes openings insaid inner periphery of said annular ring, and portions of said valveelement molded into said opening as said valve element is molded ontosaid annular ring.
 4. The valve set forth in claim 3 wherein said innerperiphery of said ring includes an annular ledge, and wherein saidopenings are disposed in an angularly spaced array around said ledge. 5.The valve set forth in claim 4 wherein said openings arethrough-openings.
 6. The valve set forth in claim 5 wherein at leastsome of said through-openings are interconnected by channels in saidledge and into which said valve element is molded.
 7. The valve setforth in claim 5 wherein each of said openings includes an enlargedportion opening at one axially facing surface of said ledge and anensmalled portion aligned with said enlarged portion and opening to asecond axially facing surface of said ledge.
 8. The valve set forth inclaim 7 wherein at least some of said enlarged portions areinterconnected by channels in said one surface of said ledge and intowhich said valve element is molded.
 9. The valve set forth in claim 7wherein said valve element includes an annular flange in opposedengagement with said second axially facing surface of said ledge on saidring, and pegs integrally molded with said annular ledge extendingthrough said ensmalled portions into said enlarged portions of saidthrough-openings.
 10. The valve set forth in claim 9 wherein at leastsome of said pegs are interconnected by valve element material extendingthrough channels in said one surface of said ledge.
 11. The valve setforth in claim 2 wherein said inner periphery of said ring includes anannular ledge, and wherein said mechanical interlock includes at leastone projection on a surface of said ledge.
 12. The valve set forth inclaim 11 wherein said projection is on an undersurface of said ledge.13. The valve set forth in claim 12 wherein said projection includes atleast one annular rib.
 14. The valve set forth in claim 13 wherein saidprojection includes radially spaced concentric annular ribs.
 15. Adispensing valve that includes: an annular ring of relatively rigidmolded plastic construction, said ring including an outer periphery forsecuring said valve within a dispensing opening and an inner peripherythat includes an annular ledge having an angularly spaced array ofthrough-openings, and a flexible resilient valve element molded ontosaid annular ledge, said valve element having an outer peripheralportion in engagement with said ledge on said ring and integral pegsextending into said through-openings to lock said valve element to saidring.
 16. The valve set forth in claim 15 wherein at least some of saidthrough-openings are interconnected by channels in said ledge and intowhich said valve element is molded.
 17. The valve set forth in claim 15wherein each of said through-openings includes an enlarged portionopening at one axially facing surface of said ledge and an ensmalledportion aligned with said enlarged portion and opening to a secondaxially facing surface of said ledge.
 18. The valve set forth in claim17 wherein at least one of said enlarged portions are interconnected bychannels in said one surface of said ledge and into which said valveelement is molded.
 19. A dispensing valve that includes: an annular ringof relatively rigid molded plastic construction, said ring including anouter periphery for securing said valve within a dispensing opening andan inner periphery that includes an annular ledge having at least oneaxial projection, and a flexible resilient valve element molded ontosaid annular ledge, said valve element having an outer peripheralportion in engagement with said ledge on said ring and molded over saidat least one projection to lock said valve element to said ring.
 20. Thevalve set forth in claim 19 wherein said projection is on anundersurface of said ledge.
 21. The valve set forth in claim 20 whereinsaid projection includes at least one annular rib.
 22. The valve setforth in claim 21 wherein said projection includes radially spacedconcentric annular ribs.
 23. A dispensing closure that includes: a basehaving a deck with a dispensing opening, and a dispensing valve thatincludes an annular ring of relatively rigid plastic construction havingan outer periphery engaged with said deck to secure said valve withinsaid dispensing opening and an inner periphery within said outerperiphery, and a flexible resilient valve element integrally molded tosaid ring and being mechanically connected to said ring by at least oneinterlock between said valve element and said inner periphery of saidring.
 24. The closure set forth in claim 23 wherein said interlockincludes openings in said inner periphery of said annular ring, andportions of said valve element molded into said opening as said valveelement is molded onto said annular ring.
 25. The closure set forth inclaim 24 wherein said inner periphery of said ring includes an annularledge, and wherein said openings are disposed in an angularly spacedarray around said ledge.
 26. The closure set forth in claim 25 whereinsaid openings are through-openings.
 27. The closure set forth in claim26 wherein at least some of said through-openings are interconnected bychannels in said ledge and into which said valve element is molded. 28.The closure set forth in claim 26 wherein each of said openings includesan enlarged portion opening at one axially facing surface of said ledgeand an ensmalled portion aligned with said enlarged portion and openingto a second axially facing surface of said ledge.
 29. The closure setforth in claim 28 wherein at least some of said enlarged portions areinterconnected by channels in said one surface of said ledge and intowhich said valve element is molded.
 30. The closure set forth in claim26 wherein said valve element includes an annular flange in opposedengagement with said second axially facing surface of said ledge on saidring, and pegs integrally molded with said flat annular ledge extendingthrough said ensmalled portions into said enlarged portions of saidthrough-openings.
 31. The closure set forth in claim 30 wherein at leastsome of said pegs are interconnected by valve element material extendingthrough channels in said one surface of said ledge.
 32. The closure setforth in claim 23 wherein said inner periphery of said ring includes anannular ledge, and wherein said mechanical interlock includes at leastone projection on a surface of said ledge.
 33. The closure set forth inclaim 32 wherein said projection is on an undersurface of said ledge.34. The closure set forth in claim 33 wherein said projection includesat least one annular rib.
 35. The closure set forth in claim 34 whereinsaid projection includes radially spaced concentric annular ribs. 36.The closure set forth in claim 23 wherein said base has a lid and ahinge of one-piece integrally molded construction with said base.
 37. Adispensing closure that includes: a base having a deck with a dispensingopening and a dispensing valve mounted within said dispensing opening,said dispensing valve including: an annular ring of relatively rigidmolded plastic construction, said ring including an outer peripherysecuring said valve within said dispensing opening and an innerperiphery that includes an annular ledge having an angularly spacedarray of through-openings, and a flexible resilient valve element moldedonto said annular ledge, said valve element having an outer peripheralportion in engagement with said ledge on said ring and integral pegsextending into said through-openings to lock said valve element to saidring.
 38. The closure set forth in claim 37 wherein at least some ofsaid through-openings are interconnected by channels in said ledge andinto which said valve element is molded.
 39. The closure set forth inclaim 37 wherein each of said through-openings includes an enlargedportion opening at one axially facing surface of said ledge and anensmalled portion aligned with said enlarged portion and opening to asecond axially facing surface of said ledge.
 40. The closure set forthin claim 39 wherein at least some of said enlarged portions areinterconnected by channels in said one surface of said ledge and intowhich said valve element is molded.
 41. A dispensing closure thatincludes: a base having a deck with a dispensing opening, and adispensing valve that includes: an annular ring of relatively rigidmolded plastic construction, said ring including an outer peripherysecuring said valve within said dispensing opening and an innerperiphery that includes an annular ledge having at least one axialprojection, and a flexible resilient valve element molded onto saidannular ledge, said valve element having an outer peripheral portion inengagement with said ledge on said ring and molded over said at leastone projection to lock said valve element to said ring.
 42. The closureset forth in claim 41 wherein said projection is on an undersurface ofsaid ledge.
 43. The closure set forth in claim 42 wherein saidprojection includes at least one annular rib.
 44. The closure set forthin claim 42 wherein said projection includes radially spaced concentricannular ribs.
 45. A method of making a dispensing valve that includes:(a) molding an annular ring of relatively rigid plastic construction,and (b) molding a flexible resilient valve element onto said annularring such that said annular ring and said valve element have at leastone mechanical interlock that secures said valve element to said ring assaid valve element is molded onto said ring.
 46. The method set forth inclaim 45 wherein said step (a) includes molding an angularly spacedarray of openings in an inner peripheral portion of said annular ring,and wherein said step (b) includes molding said flexible resilient valveto have pegs that extend into said openings mechanically to attach saidvalve to said ring.
 47. The method set forth in claim 45 wherein saidstep (a) includes molding at least one projection on an inner peripheryof said ring, and wherein said step (b) includes molding said valve oversaid projection.
 48. The method set forth in claim 45 wherein said steps(a) and (b) are carried out in a two-material molding operation.
 49. Adispensing valve of one-piece integrally molded plastic constructionthat includes a ring of relatively rigid thermoplastic or thermosettingresin construction and a flexible resilient dispensing valve element ofthermoplastic or thermosetting resin construction.
 50. The valve setforth in claim 49 wherein said valve element is of silicone orthermoplastic elastomer construction.
 51. The valve set forth in claim49 wherein said ring is of polyphenol amide, polybutylene terephthalate,polyphenol amine, nylon or glass-filled polypropylene construction. 52.The valve set forth in claim 49 wherein said valve is integrally moldedin a two-material sequential injection molding operation.
 53. Adispensing valve that includes a ring and a valve element attached tothe ring by mechanical means and/or chemical bonding, wherein one orboth of said valve and said ring are of thermosetting resinconstruction.
 54. The valve set forth in claim 53 wherein said ring andsaid valve element are sequentially injection molded.
 55. The valve setforth in claim 54 wherein said ring is of a material having a highermelt or higher softening temperature than that the material of saidvalve element.
 56. The valve set forth in claim 53 wherein said valveelement of silicone composition.
 57. The valve set forth in claim 53wherein said ring is of nylon and said valve element is of siliconecomposition.